Well numbers where 550s not good she lost a lot of weight and peeing like crazy . I got the needles and stuff but Vet said I could only give her one food and that is purina DM . I looked it up nd one website (not sure which one) said it was not a good food for the long run! So I got 10 cans of this but when or what can I say to my vet? I want a good food and something that is under this 1.75 a can. Can anyone give me good info that I can use to sway my vet into thinking that we can find a better cat food then purina DM. I have 2 other cats that I would like to switch over to wet food only so cost is important to me . thanks for any info
just found out diabetes but vet gave me one choice of food!!
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BJM
Member Since 2010
Re: just found out diabetes but vet gave me one choice of fo
Welcome to FDMB.
Please tell us more about you, your cat, what insulin and what dose.
We suggest starting with no more than 0.5 to 1 unit of insulin every 12 hours when you are changing the food, too, as many cats are stressed at the vet which raises the glucose as much as 100 to 180 mg/dL and the food change may drop the glucose as much as 100 mg/dL and the insulin needed by as much as 2 units.
He's not up to date. Cat Info has the scoop on appropriate feline nutrition. Specifically, see this food list and pick anything with less than 10% calories from carbohydrates.
For all my cats, including my diabetic, I feed Friskies Pates (except Mixed Grill) as they are under 10% calories from carbohydrates.
Welcome to FDMB.
Please tell us more about you, your cat, what insulin and what dose.
We suggest starting with no more than 0.5 to 1 unit of insulin every 12 hours when you are changing the food, too, as many cats are stressed at the vet which raises the glucose as much as 100 to 180 mg/dL and the food change may drop the glucose as much as 100 mg/dL and the insulin needed by as much as 2 units.
He's not up to date. Cat Info has the scoop on appropriate feline nutrition. Specifically, see this food list and pick anything with less than 10% calories from carbohydrates.
For all my cats, including my diabetic, I feed Friskies Pates (except Mixed Grill) as they are under 10% calories from carbohydrates.
Likameow
Member Since 2014
Re: just found out diabetes but vet gave me one choice of fo
My vet wanted me to feed Ben D/M as well. I bought 6 can then found this board. Switched Ben to fancy feast and took the other food back. I told them that Ben wouldn't eat it and that was it. Remember in the end, this is your cat and the vet works for you.
My vet wanted me to feed Ben D/M as well. I bought 6 can then found this board. Switched Ben to fancy feast and took the other food back. I told them that Ben wouldn't eat it and that was it. Remember in the end, this is your cat and the vet works for you.
JennyBankers
Member Since 2014
Re: just found out diabetes but vet gave me one choice of fo
I feed my cat Fancy Feast Classics (she will only eat the beef tender flavor), and I just ordered Tiki to try and give her a variety. Fancy Feast is $0.50 a can at Walmart and Tiki was about $1.30 a can if I remember correctly from Chewy.com.
As BJM said, you really need to be home testing when changing your cat's food because most of our kitties need an insulin reduction after switching to wet food. My cat responded to the new wet food with lower BG levels within 48 hours.
I feed my cat Fancy Feast Classics (she will only eat the beef tender flavor), and I just ordered Tiki to try and give her a variety. Fancy Feast is $0.50 a can at Walmart and Tiki was about $1.30 a can if I remember correctly from Chewy.com.
As BJM said, you really need to be home testing when changing your cat's food because most of our kitties need an insulin reduction after switching to wet food. My cat responded to the new wet food with lower BG levels within 48 hours.
dirtybirdsoaps
Member Since 2014
Re: just found out diabetes but vet gave me one choice of fo
I think thats a lot of vets. I dont know if they get extra funding for selling it or what but it is not the only food for diabetic cats and is NOT the best.
Most on this site feed fancy feast classics, or friskie pates but there are a lot of other options! Yes wet food is best and if you feel your cats will take some time weaning from dry food we recommend one of these dry foods: Young again zero carb (5 % carbs), Stella & chewys freeze dried (1% carbs I THINK), EVO cat & kitten (12% carbs), or Epigen 90 (not sure what the % is but its supposed to be low)
As to what to tell your vet.....simply what you just told us "It's not in your budget". If they get pushy (I know mine are) simply stand your ground. THIS IS YOUR CHOICE! Simply state you are aiming for remission, not just regulated and you feel you have more of a chance of remission with a lower cost, lower carb food.
You can also take our food list in, that has all the AS FED values, and ask their opinion and a cheaper option (if you want them to feel included) It would also be good for you to take some of the newer info from catinfo.org because a lot of vets arent current and maybe your vet is willing to learn.
Also if you are changing diet it is VERY important to home test. BG can drastically drop with diet change and you do NOT need a pet specific meter. A lot here use relion, you can find them at walmart but there are several meters to pick from but it is best to find one that requires a little amount of blood. I freaked paid $200+ when my vet said I needed a pet meter until I did my research on here and bought a relion.
We also recommend a longer working insulin... lantus, levemir, prozinc, pzi
what type did they give you?
I think thats a lot of vets. I dont know if they get extra funding for selling it or what but it is not the only food for diabetic cats and is NOT the best.
Most on this site feed fancy feast classics, or friskie pates but there are a lot of other options! Yes wet food is best and if you feel your cats will take some time weaning from dry food we recommend one of these dry foods: Young again zero carb (5 % carbs), Stella & chewys freeze dried (1% carbs I THINK), EVO cat & kitten (12% carbs), or Epigen 90 (not sure what the % is but its supposed to be low)
As to what to tell your vet.....simply what you just told us "It's not in your budget". If they get pushy (I know mine are) simply stand your ground. THIS IS YOUR CHOICE! Simply state you are aiming for remission, not just regulated and you feel you have more of a chance of remission with a lower cost, lower carb food.
You can also take our food list in, that has all the AS FED values, and ask their opinion and a cheaper option (if you want them to feel included) It would also be good for you to take some of the newer info from catinfo.org because a lot of vets arent current and maybe your vet is willing to learn.
Also if you are changing diet it is VERY important to home test. BG can drastically drop with diet change and you do NOT need a pet specific meter. A lot here use relion, you can find them at walmart but there are several meters to pick from but it is best to find one that requires a little amount of blood. I freaked paid $200+ when my vet said I needed a pet meter until I did my research on here and bought a relion.
We also recommend a longer working insulin... lantus, levemir, prozinc, pzi
what type did they give you?
Re: just found out diabetes but vet gave me one choice of fo
Sorry I did not put info in my cat is 8 years old lost a lot of weight and its why I took her to the vet she is now 9 pounds they put her on vetsulin I give 1 in both the morning and the night. he did tell me there is more $$$ insulin but as it stands we just moved across the country and I am the only one with a job right now I could not spend more for the insulin. thanks for the info on the food my cat is not picky and I try to give her wet food when I can but sometimes I cant. now I know I have to go fully on wet food and as soon as the bag of dry food is gone my other two cats will have to be on wet as well. its a stressful time and I will talk to the vet about a better food choice for her
Sorry I did not put info in my cat is 8 years old lost a lot of weight and its why I took her to the vet she is now 9 pounds they put her on vetsulin I give 1 in both the morning and the night. he did tell me there is more $$$ insulin but as it stands we just moved across the country and I am the only one with a job right now I could not spend more for the insulin. thanks for the info on the food my cat is not picky and I try to give her wet food when I can but sometimes I cant. now I know I have to go fully on wet food and as soon as the bag of dry food is gone my other two cats will have to be on wet as well. its a stressful time and I will talk to the vet about a better food choice for her
Dusty Bones
Member Since 2013
Re: just found out diabetes but vet gave me one choice of fo
As others have said, low carb wet food like Fancy Feast or Friskies is key to getting your kitty's diabetes under control and maybe even remission. Some here have been lucky enough to just switch to the correct food and their kittys go into remission without insulin. My Dusty has been in remission for about a year already after just a week of Lantus. I'm just maintaining his diet of Fancy Feast and keeping his weight under control now. I still test him every couple of weeks to catch any problems that might come up so home testing is very important to help you get him regulated and then hopefully keep him in remission.
As others have said, low carb wet food like Fancy Feast or Friskies is key to getting your kitty's diabetes under control and maybe even remission. Some here have been lucky enough to just switch to the correct food and their kittys go into remission without insulin. My Dusty has been in remission for about a year already after just a week of Lantus. I'm just maintaining his diet of Fancy Feast and keeping his weight under control now. I still test him every couple of weeks to catch any problems that might come up so home testing is very important to help you get him regulated and then hopefully keep him in remission.
BJM
Member Since 2010
Re: just found out diabetes but vet gave me one choice of fo
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Add any other text, such as
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To edit your Signature:
Go to the top left of the screen.
Click on User Control Panel.
Click on Profile
Click on Edit Signature
A text box displays.
This is where you paste the link for your spreadsheet, once it is set up.
Add any other text, such as
your name, cat's name,
city and state,
date of Dx (diagnosis)
insulin
meter
any other pertinent issues like food issues, allergies, IBD, etc.
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